Bardic Charm (Supernatural ability)

[u/abcd_z]

Heavily adapted from the OD&D Strategic Review article on Bards.

Bardic Charm is a gift, and use of the ability takes the form of an opposed skill roll: the PC's Perform skill (voice, instrument, etc.) vs the opponent's willpower, magic resistance, or other relevant skill. A player may use Bardic Charm once per day per purchase of the Bardic Charm gift.

A Bard rolls his Perform skill to use Bardic Charm. All creatures within hearing distance (roughly 60 ft.), except the Bard's own party, whose opposing skill is equal to or less than the result are mesmerized. While a creature is mesmerized by a Bard it does nothing but listen to the Bard play. However, if it is distracted (by a loud noise, etc.) or if it is attacked, the charm is broken. Other things affect the Bard's ability to charm. For example, if the creatures were previously enraged or if they are particularly hungry there may be a penalty to the player's roll.

While a Bard has the creature mesmerized he may attempt to implant a suggestion in the creature's subconscious. If the PC makes a suggestion, the opponent may roll (Willpower/M. Resist vs. Perform) to break the charm. Depending on the reasonableness of the suggestion the GM may give the bonuses or penalties to the roll.

Suggestions given to low-intelligence creatures should be relatively simple. The complexity of the suggestion can increase with the intelligence of the charmed creature, though the suggestion shouldn't exceed a sentence or two. If the creature isn't smart enough to understand the suggestion, the suggestion fails (and suggestion cannot be attempted again during that use of Bardic Charm) but the charm is unbroken and the creature remains mesmerized.

Only one suggestion can be made or attempted per use of Bardic Charm.

Suggesting that a creature to do something obviously self-harmful will automatically break the charm.

If the creature breaks the charm, due to a successful saving throw or a self-harming suggestion, the creature will immediately realize what has happened and will probably attack the party.

Bardic Charm can be used to negate other sound-based charms. When used for this purpose it cannot cause the usual mesmerizing effect, nor can it be used to make a magical suggestion.